Jesuit Missionary, born at Paris,
1606, of Jean G. and Anne de Garault; died 7 December, 1649. He studied
classics, philosophy, and theology at the Jesuit college of Clermont, joining
the order in 1624. He begged to be sent to the Canadian mission, and sailed in
1636 on the same fleet as Governor Montmagny. He was sent forthwith to the Huron
country, where he was to spend the fourteen years of his heroic apostolate
without once returning to Quebec. In six months he mastered the difficult
language, and began a career of unceasing charity which was to be crowned by
martyrdom. His zeal for the conversion of infidels brooked no hindrance nor
delay. Neither distance nor weather, nor danger of death could prevent him from
hastening to the stake to baptize and exhort captives of war. Filth, vermin,
fetid and loathsome disease could not deter him from tending and redeeming dying
sinners. His frail frame miraculously resisted the intense strain. His angelic
patience amidst endless trials won him the title of "lamb" of the
mission, whereof Brebeuf was styled the "lion". Several times—first
in 1637, then in 1639 with Jogues, and later with Pijart—he strove to convert
the Tobacco nation. His constancy finally overcame their obstinacy. They asked
for the black robes (1646), and Garnier went to dwell with them until death.
After the martyrdom of Fathers Daniel (1648), Brebeuf, and Lalemant (March
1649), he calmly awaited his turn. After decimating the Hurons, the Iroquois
attacked the Tobacco nation. During the massacre of St. John's village, Garnier
went about exhorting his neophytes to be faithful. Mortally wounded he dragged
himself towards a dying Indian to absolve him, and received the final blow in
the very act of charity (1649) on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, a dogma
he had vowed to defend. His letters to his brother, a Carmelite, reveal his
sanctity. Ragueneau testifies to his heroic spirit of sacrifice. Parkman
compares his life to that of St. Peter Claver among the blacks and styles it a
voluntary martyrdom.